Will of John Keeler

of Elham, Kent

Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, 17 /108 / 173, Film # 01089009
Transcribed by Norm Dennie
This is the last Will and Testament of me John Keeler of the parish of Elham, in the County
of Kent yeoman being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding. First I
commend my Soul unto the Lord Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be
decently interred at the discretion of my executor therein named and I direct all my just debts
funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied And that after payment thereof.

I give and devise unto my beloved wife Sarah all that my freehold messuage or tenement
garden hereditaments and premises situate lying and being in the parish of Elham aforesaid
said and now in the occupation of Mary Keeler for and during the term of her natural life in
case she so long continues my widow and no longer and from and immediately after her
decease or next marriage which ever shall first happen Then I give and devise the said
messuage and tenement garden hereditaments and premises unto to my son John Keeler
to hold the same .... and to the ...., of my said son John Keeler heirs and assigns forever

Also I give unto my said wife for and during her natural life in case she so long remains my
widow but no longer one annuity or clear yearly rent or sum of twenty pounds of lawful money
current in Great Britain free and clear of and from all taxes and deductions whatsoever to be
paid and payable by my said executor by half yearly payments the first payment thereof to
begin and be made on the second quarter Day which shall happen next after my decease

Also I give to my said son John Keeler the sum of three hundred pounds of lawful money
which said legacy I direct to be paid and payable within twelve months next after my decease.

Also I give unto the natural son of my daughter Elizabeth Denne called or known by
the name of Thomas Keeler who now resides with me the sum of one hundred pounds
of lawful money to be paid and payable to him as and when he attains the age of
twenty one years old I direct my said executor hereinafter named to place out the said
sum of one hundred pounds immediately after my decease on good security and pay
and apply the interest dividends and proceeds thereof during the minority of the said
Thomas Keeler the said natural son of my said daughter Elizabeth Denne for and
towards his maintenance and bringing up And it is my will and desire that he the said
Thomas Keeler be sent to school while he shall attain the age of fourteen years and the
expense of his schooling be paid by my executor.

Also I give unto my said wife the two beds and furniture thereto in my bedroom.
Also I give unto my said executor twenty pounds for placing out the said Thomas
Keeler as an Apprentice in case he shall not be so provided for in my lifetime provided
always that in case the said Thomas Keeler shall depart this life before he attains the
said age of twenty one years without leaving lawful ... Then I give the said sum of one
hundred pounds to my said son John Keeler his executors administration and assigns

and as to all, the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
both real and personal whether possession ........ remainder or .dependency
I give devise and bequeath the same unto and to the ... of my said son John Keeler my son
Thomas Keeler and my daughter Mary now the wife of Stephen File and my daughter
Elizabeth Denne equally to be divided between them share and share alike as tenants in
common and not as joint tenants and to their several heirs executors administrators and
assigns absolutely for ever

and do hereby nominate ..... and appoint my said son John
Keeler, whole and sole Executor of this my will hereby revoking and making void all former
and other wills and testamentary papers by me at any time or times hereto after made do
declare this only one to be and contain my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the
said John Keeler the Testator have to this my last will and Testament contains in three sheets
of paper my hand and seal I will my hand to the preceding sheets and my seal my hand and
seal to this third sheet and last sheet and my seal at the for where the saw sheets are affixed
together this thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty nine John Keeler * Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator John
Keeler as and for his last Will and Testament in their presence of this who at his request in
his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribe our names as WitnessJohn Valder - Henry Valder Frederic Valder

The before registered Will of John Keeler deceased was proved the twenty fourth day of
October 1829 before the Reverend John Metcalfe Clerk Surrogate to the worship Sir Herbert
Jenner Knight Doctor of Laws Official General to the .... the Archdeacon of Canterbury
lawfully constitutes by the Oath also John Keeler son of the deceased the sole Executor
named in the said Will He being the first ..... duty to perform the same.